Image processing device and image processing method

ABSTRACT

An image processing device and an image processing method are provided. The image processing device includes multiple image input units, an expansion module, a controller, and an image processing module. The multiple image input units are configured to receive multiple image signals and convert the multiple image signals into multiple converted image signals. The multiple converted image signals have a first image format. The expansion module is detachably coupled to the multiple image input units and is configured to output selected image signals according to a first selection signal. The controller is configured to provide the first selection signal. The image processing module is configured to receive the selected image signals to integrate into a picture in picture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of China application serialno. 202010002337.1, filed on Jan. 2, 2020. The entirety of theabove-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by referenceherein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The disclosure relates to an image processing device and an imageprocessing method, and in particular, to an image processing device andan image processing method capable of expanding the number of receivedimage signals.

Description of Related Art

Generally speaking, the current image processing technologies ofprojectors generally have the function of combining multiple imagesignals into a composite image. When receiving the multiple imagesignals, the projector may perform an image operation, such as a picturein picture (PiP) operation, a picture by picture (PbP) operation, or apicture on picture (PoP) operation, on the multiple image signals.

However, current projectors have a fixed number of image signalreceiving interfaces, and the image signal receiving interfaces can onlysupport fixed and non-replaceable receiving formats (such as HDMI, VGA,3G-SDI, RGB, YCbCr, etc.). Therefore, the image operations of thecurrent projectors will be limited by the number of the image signalreceiving interfaces and the supported formats.

The information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the describedtechnology and therefore it may contain information that does not formthe prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in theart. Further, the information disclosed in the Background section doesnot mean that one or more problems to be resolved by one or moreembodiments of the invention were acknowledged by a person of ordinaryskill in the art.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides an image processing device and an imageprocessing method capable of expanding the number of received imagesignals.

Other objectives and advantages of the disclosure can be furtherunderstood from the technical features disclosed by the disclosure.

In order to achieve one, part, or all of the objectives or otherobjectives, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an image processingdevice. The image processing device includes multiple image input units,an expansion module, a controller, and an image processing module. Themultiple image input units are configured to receive multiple imagesignals and to convert the multiple image signals into multipleconverted image signals. The multiple converted image signals have afirst image format. The expansion module is detachably coupled to themultiple image input units and is configured to output a first number ofselected image signals according to a first selection signal. Thecontroller is coupled to the expansion module and is configured toprovide the first selection signal. The image processing module iscoupled to the expansion module and is configured to receive the firstnumber of the selected image signals to combine into a picture inpicture (PiP).

In order to achieve one, part, or all of the objectives or otherobjectives, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an image processingmethod. The image processing method includes the following steps.Multiple image input units and an expansion module are provided, and theexpansion module is detachably coupled to the multiple image inputunits. Multiple image signals are received by the multiple image inputunits and the multiple image signals are converted into multipleconverted image signals. The multiple converted image signals have afirst image format. A first selection signal is provided and a firstnumber of selected image signals is outputted by the expansion moduleaccording to the first selection signal. The first number of theselected image signals is received and is combined into a PiP.

In light of the above, the embodiments of the invention at leastdemonstrate one or more of the advantages or effects below. Theembodiments of present invention may select the suitable image inputunit according to the image signal format requirements, and maydetachably couple the image input unit to the expansion module accordingto usage requirements.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention willbe further understood from the further technological features disclosedby the embodiments of the present invention wherein there are shown anddescribed preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way ofillustration of modes best suited to carry out the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image processing device according to afirst embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a detachable coupling of an imageprocessing device according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart of an image processing methodaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an image processing device according to athird embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an image input unit according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an expansion module according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that other embodiment may be utilized andstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein are for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an imageprocessing device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. Inthe embodiment, an image processing device 100 is applicable to aprojection device or a display device. The image processing device 100includes image input units 110_1 to 110_5, an expansion module 120, acontroller 130, and an image processing module 140. The image inputunits 110_1 to 110_5 are configured to receive image signals IMS1 toIMS8 and convert the image signals IMS1 to IMS8 into converted imagesignals CMS1 to CMS6 having a first image format. The first image formatmay be, for example, a digital RGB color format or a digital YCbCr colorformat. For example, the image input unit 110_1 receives, for example,the image signal IMS1 having a VGA format and converts the image signalIMS1 into the converted image signal CMS1 having the first image format.The image input unit 110_2 receives, for example, the image signal IMS2having the VGA format and converts the image signal IMS2 into theconverted image signal CMS2 having the first image format. The imageinput unit 110_3 receives, for example, the image signal IMS3 having theVGA format and converts the image signal IMS3 into the converted imagesignal CMS3 having the first image format. The image input unit 110_4 isan image input unit having 4 input interfaces and 2 output interfaces.The image input unit 110_4 receives, for example, the image signals IMS4to IMS7 having a HDMI or DVI format and converts two of the imagesignals IMS4 to IMS7 into the converted image signals CMS4 and CMS5having the first image format. The image input unit 110_5 receives, forexample, the image signal IMS8 having a 3G-SDI format and converts theimage signal IMS8 into the converted image signal CMS6 having the firstimage format. For ease of description, the embodiment is exemplifiedusing 8 image signals, 5 image input units, and 6 converted imagesignals. The number of image input units, the number of image signals,and the number of converted image signals of the disclosure may beadjusted according to usage requirements and design requirements, andare not limited to the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the image input units 110_1 to 110_3 and 110_5respectively have a single first input interface (for example, aninterface of the image input unit 110_1 configured to connect to theimage signal IMS1) and a single first format converter. Taking the imageinput unit 110_1 as an example, the first input interface of the imageinput unit 110_1 is configured to receive the image signal IMS1 havingthe VGA format. The first format converter of the image input unit 110_1is coupled to the first input interface of the image input unit 110_1.The first format converter of the image input unit 110_1 is configuredto convert the image signal IMS1 into the converted image signal CMS1having the first image format.

In the embodiment, the expansion module 120 is detachably coupled to theimage input units 110_1 to 110_5 and the expansion module 120 mayreceive the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS6 provided by the imageinput units 110_1 to 110_5.

The controller 130 is coupled to the expansion module 120 and isconfigured to provide a first selection signal CS1 to the expansionmodule 120. The expansion module 120 also outputs a first number ofselected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 according to the first selectionsignal CS1. In the embodiment, the expansion module 120 may receive upto 8 converted image signals and the first number is equal to 2, but thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

In the embodiment, the image input units 110_1 to 110_5 respectivelyhave identification codes ID1 to ID5. When the image input units 110_1to 110_5 are coupled to the expansion module 120, the expansion module120 provides the identification codes ID1 to ID5 to the controller 130.The controller 130 generates the first selection signal CS1 according tothe identification codes ID1 to ID5 and provides the first selectionsignal CS1 to the expansion module 120. It should be understood thatwhen only some of the image input units (for example, the image inputunits 110_1 to 110_3) are coupled to the expansion module 120, theexpansion module 120 will provide the corresponding identification codes(for example, the identification codes ID1 to ID3) in the identificationcodes ID1 to ID5 to the controller 130. The controller 130 generates thefirst selection signal CS1 according to the corresponding identificationcodes (for example, the identification codes ID1 to ID3). The expansionmodule 120 selects the first number (the first number is, for example,equal to 2) of the converted image signals from the converted imagesignals (for example, the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS3) of thesome of the image input units according to the first selection signalCS1 and use the selected converted image signals as the selected imagesignals SMS_1 and SMS_2.

In the embodiment, the controller 130 may determine the selectionpriority order of the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS6 according tothe identification codes ID1 to ID5 and provide the first selectionsignal CS1 related to the selection priority order of the convertedimage signals CMS1 to CMS6. After the expansion module 120 receives thefirst selection signal CS1, the expansion module 120 outputs theselected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 according to the first selectionsignal CS1.

In some embodiments, the expansion module 120 may also perform a colorspace conversion to a specific first image format. For example, thefirst image format of the converted image signal CMS6 is YCbCr colorformat. The expansion module 120 may convert the YCbCr color format ofthe converted image signal CMS6 to the RGB color format.

In the embodiment, the image processing module 140 is coupled to theexpansion module 120. The image processing module 140 is configured toreceive the first number of the selected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2,so as to perform an image operation on the selected image signals SMS_1and SMS_2, so as to generate a picture in picture (PiP) PS. In someembodiments, the image processing module 140 may also perform an imageoperation on the selected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 to generate apicture by picture (PbP) or a picture on picture (PoP).

It is worth mentioning here that the embodiment provides the expansionmodule 120 and the image input units 110_1 to 110_5 applicable todifferent digital image formats. The image input units 110_1 to 110_5convert the image signals IMS1 to IMS8 into the converted image signalsCMS1 to CMS6. The expansion module 120 may be detachably coupled to theimage input units 110_1 to 110_5 and select the selected image signalsSMS_1 and SMS_2 from the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS6. In theembodiment, the corresponding multiple image input units may be selectedaccording to the image signal format to be received and thecorresponding multiple image input units may be detachably coupled tothe expansion module 120 according to usage requirements. In this way,the user may select a suitable image input unit according to multipleimage signal format requirements and the flexibility of the imageprocessing device 100 in receiving image signals can be improved.

The following describes the implementation of the image input unitdetachably coupled to the expansion module. Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG.2 is a schematic view of a detachable coupling of an image processingdevice according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. In theembodiment, an image processing device 200 includes a casing Bk, imageinput units 210_1 to 210_3, an expansion module 220, a controller (notshown), and an image processing module (not shown). Sufficient teachingsof the implementation details of the image input units 210_1 to 210_3,the expansion module 220, the controller, and the image processingmodule may be obtained from the image input units 110_1 to 110_3, theexpansion module 120, the controller 130, and the image processingmodule 140 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so there will be noreiteration here. The casing Bk is configured to accommodate theexpansion module 220, the controller, and the image processing module.In the embodiment, the expansion module 220 may be designed to haveslots 221 to 228. In the embodiment, the image input units 210_1 to210_3 may respectively be selectively assembled with one of the slots221 to 228. Therefore, the expansion module 220 may be detachablycoupled to the image input units 210_1 to 210_3 via the slots 221 to228. For example, when the image input unit 210_1 is assembled with theslot 221, the expansion module 220 is coupled to the image input unit210_1 via the slot 221. The image input unit 210_2 is assembled with theslot 222. The expansion module 220 is coupled to the image input unit210_2 via the slot 222. Therefore, when the image input units 210_1 and210_2 respectively receive image signals, the expansion module 220receives a converted image signal provided by the image input unit 210_1via the slot 221 and receives a converted image signal provided by theimage input unit 210_2 via the slot 222. In this way, the user mayselect a suitable image input unit to be assembled with the expansionmodule 220 according to the multiple image signal format requirements.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 at the same time. FIG. 3 is anoperational flowchart of an image processing method according to anembodiment of the disclosure. The image processing method of theembodiment is applicable to the image processing device 100 of FIG. 1.In the embodiment, in Step S110, the image input units 110_1 to 110_5and the expansion module 120 are provided, and the image input units110_1 to 110_5 are detachably coupled to the expansion module 120. InStep S120, the image processing device 100 receives the image signalsIMS1 to IMS8 by the image input units 110_1 to 110_5 and converts theimage signals IMS1 to IMS8 into the converted image signals CMS1 toCMS6. In Step S130, the image processing device 100 provides the firstselection signal CS1 by the controller 130 and outputs the first numberof the selected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 by the expansion module120 according to the first selection signal CS1. In Step S140, the imageprocessing device 100 receives the first number of the selected imagesignals SMS_1 and SMS_2 to integrate into the PiP PS. Sufficientteachings of the implementation details of Steps S110 to S140 may beobtained from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so there will be noreiteration here.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an imageprocessing device according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. Inthe embodiment, an image processing device 300 includes image inputunits 310_1 to 310_5, an expansion module 320, a controller 330, and animage processing module 340. The implementations of the image inputunits 310_1 to 310_5 and the image processing module 340 of theembodiment are the same as the implementations of the image input units110_1 to 110_5 and the image processing module 140 of the firstembodiment, so there will be no reiteration here. In the embodiment, thecontroller 330 may provide the first selection signal CS1 and a secondselection signal CS2 according to identification codes ID1 to ID5corresponding to the image input units 310_1 to 310_5. The generation ofthe second selection signal CS2 is the same as the generation of thefirst selection signal CS1, so there will be no reiteration here. Theexpansion module 320 includes first-level selection units 321_1 and321_2, and a second-level selection unit 322. The first-level selectionunits 321_1 and 321_2 are detachably coupled to the image input units310_1 to 310_5, and are respectively configured to receive at leastthree of the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS6. The first-levelselection units 321_1 and 321_2 are respectively configured to output afirst number of first-level selected image signals SMS1_1 to SMS1_2 andSMS1_3 to SMS1_4 according to the first selection signal CS1. Thesecond-level selection unit 322 is coupled to the first-level selectionunits 321_1 and 321_2, so as to receive the first-level selected imagesignals SMS1_1 to SMS1_2 and SMS1_3 to SMS1_4 from the first-levelselection units 321_1 and 321_2, and outputs the first number of theselected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 according to the second selectionsignal CS2.

In the embodiment, the first-level selection units 321_1 and 321_2, andthe second-level selection unit 322 may be implemented by a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA).

For example, according to usage requirements, the first-level selectionunit 321_1 is coupled to the image input units 310_1 to 310_3 andreceives the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS3. The first-levelselection unit 321_1 outputs the first number of the first-levelselected image signals according to the first selection signal CS1. Inother words, the first-level selection unit 321_1 selects the firstnumber of the converted image signals (i.e., two of the converted imagesignals CMS1 to CMS3) from the selected converted image signals CMS1 toCMS3 according to the first selection signal CS1 as the first-levelselected image signals SMS1_1 and SMS1_2. Then, the first-levelselection unit 321_1 outputs the first-level selected image signalsSMS1_1 and SMS1_2. It is particularly note that the first-levelselection unit 321_1 will receive more than 3 converted image signals(i.e., the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS3). Therefore, thefirst-level selection unit 321_1 needs the first selection signal CS1 asthe selection basis for determining the first-level selected imagesignals SMS1_1 and SMS1_2 from the converted image signals CMS1 to CMS3.If the first-level selection unit 321_1 receives 1 or 2 converted imagesignals, the received converted image signal(s) may be directly used asthe first-level selected image signals SMS1_1 and/or SMS1_2.

With the same reasoning, according to usage requirements, thefirst-level selection unit 321_2 is coupled to the image input units310_4 and 310_5, and receives the converted image signals CMS4 to CMS6.The first-level selection unit 321_2 outputs the first number of thefirst-level selected image signals according to the first selectionsignal CS1. In other words, the first-level selection unit 321_2 selectsthe first number of the converted image signals (i.e., two of theconverted image signals CMS4 to CMS6) from the selected converted imagesignals CMS4 to CMS6 according to the first selection signal CS1 as thefirst-level selected image signals SMS1_3 and SMS1_4. Then, thefirst-level selection unit 321_2 outputs the first-level selected imagesignals SMS1_3 and SMS1_4.

Following the embodiment above, the second-level selection unit 322 iscoupled to the first-level selection units 321_1 and 321_2, so as toreceive the first-level selected image signals SMS1_1 to SMS1_4 from thefirst-level selection units 321_1 and 321_2. The second-level selectionunit 322 selects the first number of the first-level selected imagesignals (i.e., two of the first-level selected image signals SMS1_1 toSMS1_4) from the first-level selected image signals SMS1_1 to SMS1_4according to the second selection signal CS2 as the selected imagesignals SMS_1 and SMS_2. Next, the second-level selection unit 322outputs the selected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2. In this embodiment,the second-level selection unit 322 will receive more than 3 first-levelselected image signals (i.e., the first-level selected image signalsSMS1_1 to SMS1_4). Therefore, the second-level selection unit 322 needsthe second selection signal CS2 as the selection basis for determiningthe selected image signals SMS_1 and SMS_2 from the first-level selectedimage signals SMS1_1 to SMS1_4. It is particularly noted that if thesecond-level selection unit 322 receives only 1 or 2 first-levelselected image signals, the received first-level selected imagesignal(s) may be directly used as the selected image signals SMS_1and/or SMS_2.

It is worth mentioning here that the first-level selection units 321_1and 321_2, and the second-level selection unit 322 similarly have thesame number of input interfaces (for example, 4) and similarly outputthe first number (for example, 2) of signals. Therefore, the first-levelselection units 321_1 and 321_2, and the second-level selection unit 322may be implemented by the FPGA of the same design or similar designs, soas to reduce the design complexity of the expansion module 320. However,the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, thefirst-level selection units 321_1 and 321_2, and the second-levelselection unit 322 may be designed to have different numbers of inputinterfaces and output signals according to requirements.

Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an image inputunit according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment, animage input unit 410_4 includes at least 3 second input interfaces (forexample, an interface of the image input unit 410_4 configured toconnect to the image signal IMS7), a distributor 411, and second formatconverters 412 and 413. The second input interface of the image inputunit 410_4 receives the image signals IMS5 to IMS7. The image signalsIMS5 to IMS7 may respectively have a second image format or a thirdimage format, for example, image signals having the HDMI or DVI format.For example, the image signals IMS5 and IMS6 are image signals havingthe HDMI format, and the image signal IMS7 is an image signal having theDVI format. The distributor 411 receives a third selection signal CS3.The third selection signal CS3 is, for example, provided by thecontroller 330 of FIG. 4, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. Thedistributor 411 is configured to receive the image signals IMS5 to IMS7and output two of the image signals IMS5 to IMS7 (i.e., the imagesignals IMS5 and IMS6) to the second format converters 412 and 413according to the third selection signal CS3. In the embodiment, thethird selection signal CS3 determines the selection priority of theimage signals IMS5 to IMS7 according to an identification code of theimage input unit 410_4. After the distributor 411 receives the thirdselection signal CS3, the distributor 411 will output two of the imagesignals IMS5 to IMS7 according to the third selection signal CS3.

The second format converter 412 is coupled to the distributor 411 toreceive the image signal IMS5 and convert the image signal IMS5 into theconverted image signal CMS4 having the first image format. The secondformat converter 413 is coupled to the distributor 411 to receive theimage signal IMS6 and convert the image signal IMS6 into the convertedimage signal CMS5 having the first image format. For ease ofexplanation, the image input unit 410_4 in the embodiment receives 3image signals and 2 second format converters 412 and 413. However, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, according toactual requirements, the image input unit 410_4 may receive more than 3image signals and more than 2 second format converters.

In addition, the image input unit 410_4 may also include a third formatconverter 414 and an output interface (for example, an interface of theimage input unit 410_4 configured to output a stitched image signalLMS). The third format converter 414 is configured to receive theconverted image signal CMS3 outputted from another image input unit (forexample, the image input unit 310_3) and convert the converted imagesignal CMS3 into the stitched image signal LMS having the HDMI or DVIformat, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments,other converted image signals (for example, the converted image signalsCMS1 and CMS2) may be outputted as the stitched image signal LMS. Then,the image processing device outputs the stitched image signal LMSthrough the image input unit 410_4. For example, the image processingdevice outputs the stitched image signal LMS sequentially through thedistributor 411 and the output interface. The number of the third formatconverters of the disclosure may be one or more. Therefore, thedisclosure may receive at least one converted image signal and convertthe at least one converted image signal into a stitched image signalhaving the HDMI or DVI format. The disclosure is not limited to theembodiment.

It is worth mentioning here that the image processing device may outputthe stitched image signal LMS by the image input unit 410_4. In thisway, the stitched image signal LMS may be provided to another projectiondevice, so as to implement image splicing of multiple projectiondevices.

It should be understood that the image input unit 410_4 of theembodiment may be used as the image input unit 110_4 of the embodimentof FIG. 1 and the image input unit 310_4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Next, an embodiment of expanding an expansion module is described.Please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an expansionmodule according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment,an expansion module 420 includes first-level selection units 421_1 to421_4, second-level selection units 422_1 and 422_2, and a third-levelselection unit 423. The second-level selection unit 422_1 is coupled tothe first-level selection units 421_1 and 421_2 to receive the signalsoutputted from the first-level selection units 421_1 and 421_2. Thesecond-level selection unit 422_2 is coupled to the first-levelselection units 421_3 and 421_4 to receive the signals outputted fromthe first-level selection units 421_3 and 421_4. The third-levelselection unit 423 is coupled to the second-level selection units 422_1and 422_2 to receive the signals outputted from the second-levelselection units 422_1 and 422_2.

In the embodiment, the first-level selection units 421_1 to 421_4, thesecond-level selection units 422_1 and 422_2, and the third-levelselection unit 423 may be respectively implemented by the FPGA.

For example, the first-level selection units 421_1 to 421_4, thesecond-level selection units 422_1 and 422_2, and the third-levelselection unit 423 respectively have, for example, 4 input interfacesand 2 output interfaces. Therefore, the expansion module 420 may receiveup to 16 converted image signals. In addition, the first-level selectionunits 421_1 to 421_4, the second-level selection units 422_1 and 422_2,and the third-level selection unit 423 similarly have the same number ofinput interfaces (for example, 4) and similarly output the first number(for example, 2) of signals. Therefore, the first-level selection units421_1 to 421_4, the second-level selection units 422_1 and 422_2, andthe third-level selection unit 423 may be implemented by the FPGA of thesame design or similar designs.

It should be understood that the expansion module 420 of the embodimentmay be used as the expansion module 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, theexpansion module 220 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, and the expansionmodule 320 of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

It can be known that, in the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, when theinput of the image processing device 100 of the first embodiment or theimage processing device 300 of the third embodiment needs to be expandedto receive more image signals, the level number of the selection unitinside the expansion modules 120 and 320 may be increased without theneed to redesign the image processing modules 140 and 340.

Based on the above, the disclosure may select the corresponding imageinput unit according to the image signal format to be received and maydetachably couple the image input unit to the expansion module accordingto usage requirements. In this way, the user may select the suitableimage input unit according to the multiple image signal formatrequirements and the flexibility of the image processing device inreceiving the image signal can be improved. In addition, when the inputof the image processing device needs to be expanded to receive moreimage signals, the level number of the selection unit inside theexpansion module may be increased without the need to redesign the imageprocessing module, so as to simplify the complexity of making changes tothe image processing device.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoingdescription should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments are chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andits best mode practical application, thereby to enable persons skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use orimplementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalentsin which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unlessotherwise indicated. Therefore, the term “the invention”, “the presentinvention” or the like does not necessarily limit the claim scope to aspecific embodiment, and the reference to particularly preferredexemplary embodiments of the invention does not imply a limitation onthe invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The inventionis limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Theabstract of the disclosure is provided to comply with the rulesrequiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher to quickly ascertainthe subject matter of the technical disclosure of any patent issued fromthis disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will notbe used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Anyadvantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments ofthe invention. It should be appreciated that variations may be made inthe embodiments described by persons skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Moreover, no element and component in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element or component is explicitly recited in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing device, comprising aplurality of image input units, an expansion module, a controller, andan image processing module, wherein: the plurality of image input unitsare configured to receive a plurality of image signals and convert theplurality of image signals into a plurality of converted image signals,and the plurality of converted image signals have a first image format;the expansion module is detachably coupled to the plurality of imageinput units and is configured to output a first number of selected imagesignals according to a first selection signal; the controller is coupledto the expansion module and is configured to provide the first selectionsignal; and the image processing module is coupled to the expansionmodule and is configured to receive the first number of the selectedimage signals to integrate into a picture in picture.
 2. The imageprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the expansion modulecomprises a plurality of first-level selection units and a second-levelselection unit, and the controller further provides a second selectionsignal, wherein: the plurality of first-level selection units arerespectively configured to receive at least three of the plurality ofconverted image signals and are respectively configured to output thefirst number of first-level selected image signals according to thefirst selection signal; and the second-level selection unit isconfigured to receive at least three of the first-level selected imagesignals and output the first number of the selected image signalsaccording to the second selection signal.
 3. The image processing deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the plurality of image input unitsrespectively have an identification code, wherein the expansion moduleis further configured to transmit a plurality of identification codes ofthe plurality of image input units to the controller, wherein thecontroller generates the first selection signal and the second selectionsignal according to the plurality of identification codes.
 4. The imageprocessing device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality offirst-level selection units and the second-level selection unit arerespectively implemented by a field programmable gate array.
 5. Theimage processing device according to claim 1, wherein one of theplurality of image input units comprises a first input interface and afirst format converter, wherein: the first input interface is configuredto receive a first image signal in the plurality of image signals; andthe first format converter is coupled to the first input interface andis configured to convert the first image signal into one of theplurality of converted image signals having the first image format. 6.The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein the controllerfurther provides a third selection signal, wherein one of the pluralityof image input units comprises a plurality of second input interfaces, adistributor, and at least one second format converter, wherein: theplurality of second input interfaces are configured to receive aplurality of second image signals in the plurality of image signals, oneof the plurality of second image signals has a second image format, andanother one of the plurality of second image signals has a third imageformat; the distributor is coupled to the controller and is configuredto receive the plurality of second image signals and output at least twoof the plurality of second image signals according to a third selectionsignal; and the at least one second format converter is coupled to thedistributor and is configured to receive the at least two of theplurality of second image signals and convert the at least two of theplurality of second image signals into at least two of the plurality ofconverted image signals having the first image format.
 7. The imageprocessing device according to claim 6, wherein the second image inputunit further comprises a third format converter and an output interface,the third format converter is configured to receive at least one of theplurality of converted image signals outputted by the plurality of imageinput units and convert the at least one of the plurality of convertedimage signals into a stitched image signal having the second imageformat, wherein the image processing device outputs the stitched imagesignal through the second image input unit.
 8. An image processingmethod, comprising: providing a plurality of image input units and anexpansion module, and detachably coupling the expansion module to theplurality of image input units; receiving, by the plurality of imageinput units, a plurality of image signals and converting the pluralityof image signals into a plurality of converted image signals, whereinthe plurality of converted image signals have a first image format;providing a first selection signal and outputting, by the expansionmodule, a first number of selected image signals according to the firstselection signal; and receiving the first number of the selected imagesignals to integrate into a picture in picture.
 9. The image processingmethod according to claim 8, wherein the expansion module comprises aplurality of first-level selection units and a second-level selectionunit, wherein the plurality of first-level selection units arerespectively configured to receive at least three of the plurality ofconverted image signals, wherein the step of outputting, by theexpansion module, the first number of the selected image signalsaccording to the first selection signal comprises: providing a secondselection signal; outputting, by each of the plurality of first-levelselection units, the first number of the first-level selected imagesignals according to the first selection signal; and receiving, by thesecond-level selection unit, at least three of the first-level selectedimage signals and outputting the first number of the selected imagesignals according to the second selection signal.
 10. The imageprocessing method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of imageinput units respectively have an identification code, wherein the imageprocessing method further comprises: receiving a plurality ofidentification codes of the plurality of image input units transmittedby the expansion module.
 11. The image processing method according toclaim 10, wherein the step of providing the first selection signalcomprises: generating the first selection signal according to theplurality of identification codes; and the step of providing the secondselection signal comprises: generating the second selection signalaccording to the plurality of identification codes.
 12. The imageprocessing method according to claim 8, wherein the step of providingthe plurality of image input units and the expansion module comprises:implementing, by a plurality of field programmable gate arrays, theplurality of first-level selection units and the second-level selectionunit.
 13. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein oneof the plurality of image input units comprises a first input interfaceand a first format converter, and the first format converter is coupledto the first input interface, wherein the step of receiving, by theplurality of image input units, the plurality of image signals andconverting the plurality of image signals into the plurality ofconverted image signals comprises: receiving, by the first inputinterface, a first image signal in the plurality of image signals; andconverting, by the first format converter, the first image signal intoone of the plurality of converted image signals having the first imageformat.
 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, whereinone of the plurality of image input units comprises a plurality ofsecond input interfaces, a distributor, and at least one second formatconverter, wherein the step of receiving, by the plurality of imageinput units, the plurality of image signals and converting the pluralityof image signals into the plurality of converted image signals furthercomprises: providing a third selection signal; receiving, by theplurality of second input interfaces, a plurality of second imagesignals in the plurality of image signals, wherein one of the pluralityof second image signals has a second image format and another one of theplurality of second image signals has a third image format; receiving,by the distributor, the plurality of second image signals and outputtingat least two of the plurality of second image signals according to athird selection signal; and receiving, by the second format converter,the plurality of selected image signals and converting the at least twoof the plurality of second image signals into at least two of theplurality of converted image signals having the first image format. 15.The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein the secondimage input unit further comprises a third format converter and anoutput interface, wherein the step of receiving, by the plurality ofimage input units, the plurality of image signals and converting theplurality of image signals into the plurality of converted image signalsfurther comprises: receiving, by the third format converter, at leastone of the plurality of converted image signals outputted by theplurality of image input units and converting the at least one of theplurality of converted image signals into a stitched image signal havingthe second image format; and outputting, by the second image input unit,the stitched image signal.